Sunset Park in Santa Monica in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Santa Monica Municipal Airport
Clover Field
Photographed by Craig Baker
1. Santa Monica Municipal Airport Marker
Some of the most important events in American military and civil aviation have occurred at this historic site. This is one of the nation's earliest airports, founded in 1919. The Douglas Aircraft Company became famous here in 1924 after building the Douglas World Cruisers, the first aircraft to fly around the world. There followed a distinguished series of aircraft including the immortal Douglas DC-3 which made its first flight on December 17, 1935.
During World War II the Douglas plant was one of the most important in the American arsenal, producing thousands of C-47 and A-20 aircraft.
Santa Monica Municipal Airport is the home of the Museum of Flying and is recognized nationally for its role in shaping the future of General Aviation.
Erected 1989 by Native Sons of the Golden West.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1919.
Location. 34° 0.873′ N, 118° 26.87′ W. Marker is in Santa Monica, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Sunset Park. It can be reached from Airport Avenue
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles and in the Transverse Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Douglas DC-3 (within shouting distance of this marker); Clover Field (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Venice Japanese American Memorial Monument (approx. 1.4 miles away); Moreton Bay Fig Tree (approx. 1.6 miles away); Sturdevant Bungalow (approx. 1.7 miles away); Saint Florian (approx. 1.7 miles away); Santa Monica Nikkei Hall (approx. 1.8 miles away); Westminster Place (approx. 1.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map
Photographed by Craig Baker, May 27, 2018
2. Douglas DC-3, and the Museum of Flying
The plaque has been moved inside the museum.
More about this marker. The marker was originally installed on a building that no longer exists. It is now inside the Museum of Flying, which is located on the south side of the airport.
Regarding Santa Monica Municipal Airport. This is one of the United States' oldest airports, and it has been one of the world's foremost general aviation airports. At one time, this was the busiest single-runway airport in the world.
Clover Field was named after Greayer "Grubby" Clover, a WWI Army pilot who died August 30, 1918, during flight training.
The airport once had a No Jets policy, but that restriction is not allowed at airports overseen by the FAA.
Santa Monica Airport is scheduled to close on December 31, 2028. Residents who moved into the neighborhood complain about air and noise pollution, and the constant fear of aircraft falling out of the sky despite no ground fatalities in the neighborhood around the airport in over a century.
Earlier plans called for shortening the runway to eliminate most jets and create more parks, but plans are moving ahead with complete closure of the airport. The
Public Domain
3. Douglas Aircraft at Santa Monica Airport
Many other communities across the country are now trying to close their airports.
Also see . . .
1. Santa Monica Airport Association. Dedicated to preserving SMO's vital role in the community. (Submitted on June 22, 2026.)
2. Save Santa Monica Airport. A majority of Santa Monica residents support keeping the airport open while expanding park space and community benefits. But the City is moving toward closing the airport. (Submitted on June 22, 2026.)
3. Museum of Flying. Originally established in 1974 as the Douglas Museum and Library, the Museum first opened in 1979 at 2800 Airport Avenue. The Museum was founded by Donald Douglas Jr, the second President of the Douglas Aircraft Company. (Submitted on June 23, 2026.)
Additional keywords. Santa Monica Airport
Photographed by Craig Baker
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Photographed by Craig Baker
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Credits. This page was last revised on July 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 22, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 15 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on June 22, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2. submitted on June 22, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 23, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
